As the Deputy will be aware, the State now meets the tution fees of eligible students who are attending full-time undergraduate courses, which must generally be of at least two years duration, at approved colleges. Over 28,000 students have benefited under the free fees initiative in 1995-96.
Under the means tested schemes of third level student support operated by my Department, eligible students may qualify for the payment of a maintenance grant which is intended to help defray the costs associated with attendance at third level courses. Where any individual student is experiencing short-term financial difficulties, he or she can apply to the college authority for assistance from the handicap fund, which I established in 1994.
Having regard to the overall resource constraints, I am not in a position to accede to the Deputy's request to provide additional assistance in this area.